EMPOWER 2026 Youth Declaration concludes

Detailed summary

Held under the theme “Youth Leading for Peace and Security,” EMPOWER 2026 placed young people at the centre of the programme. Youth committees helped shape the theme, sessions and…

Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global foundation working to expand access to quality education and economic opportunities, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Youth as the Official Partner, today concluded the 17th edition of the EMPOWER Youth Conference at Andaz Doha by Hyatt. The three-day conference brought together 250 young people from across Qatar, alongside policymakers, United Nations representatives, civil society organisations, academics, youth representatives and experts.

Held under the theme “Youth Leading for Peace and Security,” EMPOWER 2026 placed young people at the centre of the programme. Youth committees helped shape the theme, sessions and activities, while youth advocates served as speakers, moderators and masters of ceremony throughout the conference.

The conference concluded with the presentation of the EMPOWER 2026 Youth Declaration, developed by participating youth delegates as a call to action for policymakers and decision-makers. The Declaration reflects the voices, priorities and proposed solutions of young people and is structured around four interconnected pillars of the global Youth, Peace and Security agenda: participation, protection, prevention and partnerships.

The Declaration calls for meaningful youth participation in decisions on peace, security and development; safe and enabling environments for young peacebuilders and advocates; stronger action on the root causes of conflict through education, economic empowerment and social cohesion; and sustainable partnerships between young people, governments, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and Sport for Development stakeholders.

Arwa Musaaed, Executive Director of ROTA Programme, said: “What we saw at EMPOWER was young people moving beyond participation to leadership. They shaped the theme, challenged ideas and turned three days of dialogue into practical recommendations.

Fawaz Al-Musaifri, Director of the Youth Affairs Department at the…

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